“I haven’t done that shopping yet,” Lauer told PEOPLE from the airport Sunday, awaiting his return flight to New York. “What’s the appropriate amount of time?”

Lauer scoffed at traditional protocol allowing up to a year after the wedding date.

Matt LauerJason Merritt/Getty“I think you get de-friended by that time!” he said. “So, no, I have to go out and look. They’re such a thoughtful, caring and kind couple, I really want it to be something personal. I’m not going to do just the old registry – like, ‘And here’s the gravy ladle!’ ”